by Charles Todd
This book is a prequel to the Inspector Rutledge series of mysteries by a mother and son writing duo.
It is one of my favourite series.
In the first book of the series, Ian Rutledge, an Inspector with Scotland Yard returns from WWI a haunted man, haunted by the ghost of a soldier he had to have killed for insubordination.
This book takes place just prior to WWI and we meet Rutledge and his fiance as they are planning to get married. Rutledge is asked to investigate one suspicious death in rural England. He is convinced the young man arrested for the death is innocent. He then hears of other suspicious deaths, some ruled suicides, which all have a common thread of laudanum poisoining. He tries to figure out how all the various people could be connected. They come from a variety of walks of life but all spent some time in Bristol.
He later discovers that all of the men were involved in a trial at which a man was deemed guilty and hanged for his crime. Rutledge doesn't get much support from his superior at the Yard. He runs into the murderer, the son of the hanged man, on two occasions but is unable to catch him. Rutledge tries to stop future murders and is able to warn one potential victim. Then he receives a letter threatening his sister if he does not back off.
All this is happening as the circumstances that started world war I take place and the story covers the atmosphere, anxiety and patriotism of the British. Rutledge's fiance encourages him to enlist because she doesn't want him to be seen as a coward. He is reluctant to do so but finally does enlist.
As he arrives in France to take on his duties he sees a stretcher with the murderer on it. He has been wounded in the war. Then shots ring out and the murderer is dead. Rutledge notices the falsely accused man off to the side. Perhaps justice has been done, or has it?
The writers tell interesting tales but also have a talent for portraying life around the world war. This makes for books that keep you interested.
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